A sailor recently asked me to teach him how to use the jib --over the phone!! I wanted to ask him if he could teach me to play the piano over the phone.
I've found that a lot of sailors treat the jib as a secondary devise and focus mainly on the mainsail. Due to their lack of knowledge about both sails they end up with both sails working against each other. Secondly, they don't understand what elements they're adjusting on both sails and additionally what sail controls for each sail (there are 8 for the mainsail and 6 for the jib) are used to adjust each element.
The first thing I determined was his size/type of jib -- 135, roller furling - and what jib sail trim controls he had -- he had all of them -- and most importantly if they ALL function. You'd be surprised how many don't function and he had never used his fairleads..
I started with telltales, which he didn't have. I don't know how sailors trim their sails without telltales!! I explained placement is on the package.
Next I explained the halyard, which is the simplest to understand but I really don't like to use - I prefer a jib cunningham. In light winds I suggested he ease it a bit until some scollop's appear on the luff. As the wind builds, remove the scollop's. After I explained draft position I told him what is happening to the sail when you ease/tighten the halyard. Try explaining draft position over the phone!! Actually, it's pretty easy - cup your hand and draw an imaginary line down the palm. If the line is moved forward you're powering up the sail. The sail de powers when the line moves back. The sweet spot is in the middle.
There is such a thing as providing TOO MUCH info to a sailor (or anyone) at one time so I decided to limit the conversation and merely explained the importance the jib fairleads and suggested he get them to function.
Turns out he lives in Northern Maine and won't be putting his boat in the water any time soon. I suggested that in the meantime he purchase my book & chart. Then sit by the fire and keep warm while reading it to learn about ALL the sail trim control for the main and jib and how/why they function and most importantly WHAT they're adjusting. The WHY/WHAT of sail trim is EVERYTHING otherwise a sailor is just guessing at the adjustment.
You never know how much info a sailor absorbs from any conversation but 3 days later I received his check for both products.
I've found that a lot of sailors treat the jib as a secondary devise and focus mainly on the mainsail. Due to their lack of knowledge about both sails they end up with both sails working against each other. Secondly, they don't understand what elements they're adjusting on both sails and additionally what sail controls for each sail (there are 8 for the mainsail and 6 for the jib) are used to adjust each element.
The first thing I determined was his size/type of jib -- 135, roller furling - and what jib sail trim controls he had -- he had all of them -- and most importantly if they ALL function. You'd be surprised how many don't function and he had never used his fairleads..
I started with telltales, which he didn't have. I don't know how sailors trim their sails without telltales!! I explained placement is on the package.
Next I explained the halyard, which is the simplest to understand but I really don't like to use - I prefer a jib cunningham. In light winds I suggested he ease it a bit until some scollop's appear on the luff. As the wind builds, remove the scollop's. After I explained draft position I told him what is happening to the sail when you ease/tighten the halyard. Try explaining draft position over the phone!! Actually, it's pretty easy - cup your hand and draw an imaginary line down the palm. If the line is moved forward you're powering up the sail. The sail de powers when the line moves back. The sweet spot is in the middle.
There is such a thing as providing TOO MUCH info to a sailor (or anyone) at one time so I decided to limit the conversation and merely explained the importance the jib fairleads and suggested he get them to function.
Turns out he lives in Northern Maine and won't be putting his boat in the water any time soon. I suggested that in the meantime he purchase my book & chart. Then sit by the fire and keep warm while reading it to learn about ALL the sail trim control for the main and jib and how/why they function and most importantly WHAT they're adjusting. The WHY/WHAT of sail trim is EVERYTHING otherwise a sailor is just guessing at the adjustment.
You never know how much info a sailor absorbs from any conversation but 3 days later I received his check for both products.